Unfortunately, the w3c MathML specification does not explain to readers
the reasons for the several options taken by its authors.
For example,
- what is the argument to use some like
<apply><divide/><ci>A</ci><cn>2</cn></apply>
instead of shorter
<divide><ci>A</ci><cn>2</cn></divide> ?
- What is the reason for
<apply><plus/><cn>5</cn><cn>8</cn></apply>
instead of calculator-like
<apply><cn>5</cn><plus/><cn>8</cn></apply> ?
- What is the reason for
<msup>base <mrow>index1 index2</mrow></msup>
instead of
base<sup>index1 index2</sup>
of SGML/HTML/XHTML/CSS
or the
base^{index1 index2}
of TeX systems ?
Thanks in advance!
Juan R.
Center for CANONICAL |SCIENCE)